Homemade wire tacks found in Edinburgh Gardens

Be careful in the gardens in the next few weeks.

Photography: Peter Tarasiuk

Published on 05 January 2015

by Tacey Rychter

Edinburgh Gardens hasn’t had a good run in the past week.

Following the rowdy New Year’s Eve celebrations a year ago that left the North Fitzroy gardens littered with rubbish, the Yarra Council enacted a full alcohol ban on last Wednesday evening’s festivities for all parks in the council of Yarra and invested $250,000 on security, floodlights, bins and toilet facilities. That figure also covers the cost of providing the same for 2015 Australia Day celebrations. The result? According to the council, 600 people were at Edinburgh Gardens at midnight compared to 10,000 to 15,000 the previous year. Instagrammers and users of other social media posted images of an almost deserted park.

Then yesterday, the Yarra Council issued a warning that homemade wire spikes had been strewn throughout the park. Council parks crews have spent the past few days scouring the grounds for the sharp tacks, and as of this afternoon, have collected more than 800.

Cyclists should exercise caution, as should parents and pet owners.

Suspicious behaviour or information about this crime should be reported to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. If you find any tacks, please report to Yarra Council on 9205 5555.